Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni’s Legal Battle Set for Trial in March 2026

A court date has been established for the high-profile legal dispute between actress Blake Lively and actor-director Justin Baldoni. According to recently filed court documents, both celebrities are expected to appear in court on March 9, 2026.

The lawsuit centers around claims made by Lively against Baldoni and his associates, including Wayfarer Studios, producer Jamey Heath, and publicists Jennifer Abel and Melissa Nathan. Lively alleges she faced sexual harassment during the production of their film, It Ends With Us, and claims that a coordinated smear campaign was orchestrated against her.

In response to these allegations, Baldoni filed a countersuit seeking $400 million in damages against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, their publicist Leslie Sloane, and The New York Times. Baldoni’s countersuit accuses Lively and her associates of defamation and civil extortion, stating that the accusations have significantly damaged his personal reputation and professional standing.

Additionally, the court has moved up a pre-trial hearing originally scheduled for February 12 to February 3, 2026. During this session, the court will consider Lively’s anticipated request for a gag order intended to restrict public statements and media commentary surrounding the trial.

Both parties are now actively preparing for the trial, which is expected to attract significant public and media attention due to the prominence of the individuals involved.